Draft Focus: Riley Unroe

Every weekday leading up to the 2013 MLB Draft, Perfect Game will be providing a scouting profile on a notable draft-eligible prospect. Stay tuned to Perfect Game and be sure to visit the Draft Page for all of the latest info and reports pertaining to the draft.

A popular catch-all phrase that is prevalent in college football recruiting is “Athlete.” It simply means that the player’s future position is to be determined but that his athletic skills are good enough to play any number of skill positions. On a football field that usually means defensive back, wide receiver, running back, and even quarterback in the right systems.

Baseball needs some similar catch-all phrase to describe players who have the athleticism to stay in the middle of the field (shortstop, second base, centerfield), but whose future position is still to be determined, perhaps not for many years. If for no other reason, it will make the annual scouting debates about whether high school shortstops can stay at shortstop in the long term less ubiquitous and predictable.

I’ve often used the phrase “Premium Defensive Position” to describe middle of the field athletes, but that usually includes catcher as well, so that is less than ideal.

Regardless, Arizona high school shortstop Riley Unroe, one of the fastest rising prospects in the country heading into the final six weeks prior to the draft, would be a perfect candidate for a new baseball “Athlete” category. It’s that athleticism, and improved power and bat speed at the plate, that gives Unroe a good chance to go among the top 50-60 picks in June.

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